Premier League 2018-19: 3 players who could turn the derby in Manchester United's favour

The mother of all derbies is knocking on the door of Manchester fans all over the world. This Sunday, we will unfold another mouth-watering tie between the giants of English football.

Some believe that Manchester City is the clear favourites to win the derby, but you can never rule out the Red Devils.

The stats may suggest that Pep Guardiola and his men have a better record but Jose Mourinho always saves his best for the crunch matches.

Last Manchester derby was won by United in dramatic fashion when they came back from a 0-2 deficit to win it 3-2.

Manchester United will take on their noisy neighbours for the first time this season at the Ethiad stadium.

We have a thrilling encounter in store for us where Europe's two most successful managers will go head-to-head in the battle of Manchester.

Here are the 3 players who can make a difference in the derby and help United seal a victory.

#3 Antony Martial

Antony Martial has been in form of his life under and finally finding his feet in Mourinho's team. His game has improved significantly in the past few weeks, scoring five goals in United’s last four Premier League games. The 22-year-old will be looking to inspire Manchester United to victory on Sunday.

Martial has found some new life under Mourinho due to his stellar run in the early season. He has now found the net four times in his last three league games which he started.

He was brilliant against Chelsea, scoring two goals in the second half. Often criticized for not showing his potential in big games, he has now the opportunity to prove them wrong as he did in Stamford Bridge.

His consistent performance with the Red Devils has earned him a national call-up, after he missed the opportunity to lift the World Cup as he wasn't selected in the French squad.

The French international is swift, pacy and a lethal striker of the ball who can also provide assists. His beautiful link-up play with Pogba has also been praised and appreciated by the fans and pundits.

The battle between Walker and him will be one to watch out for.

#2 Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba has all the reasons to grab attention from his highest transfer fee move to his World Cup-winning campaign.

He will be again looking to make the headlines in the derby on Sunday. Pobga will be pivotal to United's success against their bitter rivals, as he has been in fine form in recent weeks.

He will be looking to repeat his heroics of last derby match when he inspired a comeback from in the second half. Pobga scored two goals and almost created the winning goal by Chris Smalling.

The French international has now scored five goals and provided four assists for the Red Devils in all the competitions. Now he will be looking forward to bettering his tally against the noisy neighbours.

Pogba can not only create chances with his playmaking abilities but can also score some screamers himself.

He is a perfect box-to-box midfielder which can trouble the City side with his pace and skills with the ball.

The World Cup winner will look to play the ball to Martial, Rashford and Sanchez in behind the defence and look to threaten the back line with his passing.

Later on with the introduction of Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, he may get more opportunity in the attacking zone.

#1 David De Gea

He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world

David De Gea has unarguably been Manchester United's best player in the past few seasons.

Where Mourinho's men failed to deliver on various occasions, the Spaniard has made his mark by standing tall between the poles.

United has failed to establish a strong defence since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013 but De Gea has been like a wall, often bailing them out with crucial points.

In my opinion, it will be a mammoth task to contain the attack of Manchester City, who have been scoring goals for fun lately.

The home side will be brimming with confidence having scored six in each of their last two home games against Southampton and Shakhtar Donetsk.

City will look to create chances and trouble the United defence with their passing and movement with the ball.

In order to stay in the game, De Gea will have to make some important saves to give his side the opportunity to counter-attack in Mourinho's style.

His consistent performance would be inevitable for the visitors who have never lost at the Etihad under Mourinho's tenure.

Stopping the likes of Aguero, Sterling, Sane, David Silva and Bernado Silva will not be easy for the defenders and it may require much assistance from De Gea to help his side stay in the game.

We may witness another thrilling encounter between the two teams of Manchester and these three players will be key to United's success.

But we will have to wait and see if the home side bags all the three points or the Red Devils will end their noisy neighbor's unbeaten run.